House passes penalties for aiming lasers at aircraft

A bill that would make it a crime to aim laser pointers at aircraft has passed the House and moves to the Senate, where similar legislation has been included as an amendment to the FAA authorization bill.

The House bill, titled the Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2011, passed Feb. 28 on a voice vote after being reported out by the House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 26. Sponsored by Rep. Dan Lungren (R- Calif.), the bill makes it a crime punishable by fines, up to five years in prison, or both to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft. [Full story]